H E A LT H Y C A R E R ,

H E A LT H Y C L I E N T

J E N E V I E S . M O N G C A L , M A P S Y, R P S Y
PSYCHOLOGIST III
DSWD FO 6
SEMINAR SCHEDULE FLOW
DAY 1 Activities Time/Schedule

Psychological test on Compassion Fatigue (Test 9:30-10:00am

taking of PROQOL)
Lecture 10:00-11:30am

Forums/Questions about the lecture 11:30-12:00nn

Lunch break 12:00-1:00PM

Participants Scoring of PROQOL test & Discussion 1:00-1:30PM

Group Sessions (stressors & accountability) 1:30-3:00PM

Trauma Release Exercise 3:00-5:00PM

DAY 2 Activities (half-day) Time/Schedule

Mindfulness Therapy & Guided Imagery 9:00AM-10:00AM

Stress-debriefing (articulate concerns/open forum) 10:00AM-11:00AM

Seminar Evaluation Form & Certificate Giving 11:00AM-12:00NN

WHO ARE WE TAKING CARE
OF?
• The Abused and Neglected Children and Women
• Children in Conflict with the Law

The Situation Type:

- We are the people who care for those who are not valued or
understood in the society.

The Individual Type:

- Caring for our own family members, “sandwich generation”
STRESSORS

• The work of helping requires helping professionals to open their

hearts and minds to their clients and patients. Unfortunately, this very
process of empathy is what makes helpers vulnerable to being
profoundly affected & even possibly damaged by their work.

• Hence, the highest rate in trauma and other depressive disorders are
coming from helping professionals and NOT from the patient per se
(due to moral distress)
HOW CARING OTHERS AFFECTS
OUR OWN MENTAL HEALTH?
CARER

COMPASSION
BURN OUT
FATIGUE

VICARIOUS TRAUMA
 COMPASSION
FATIGUE

Do you
Are you tired
experience
of caring for
nightmares &
others?
flashbacks?

compulsive
behaviors (overspe Overly
nding, overeating,
addiction)
negative
COMPASSION FATIGUE

• Traumatic experience and burdens of others

were inevitably passed on to carers.
• Profound emotional and physical erosion that
takes place when helpers are unable to refuel
& regenerate
• common to newbies in caring
• Unable to receive stress-debriefing
VICARIOUS TRAUMA

• Helping professionals who have experienced

trauma due to repeated exposure to
traumatic materials
- Fundamental beliefs about the world are altered & possibly damaged.
- common to professionals to frontliners who provide social and medical
services (Police, army, doctors, nurses, social workers, psychologists,
counselors etc)
BURN OUT

• Physical and emotional exhaustion

– Due to low job satisfaction, feeling powerless and overwhelmed at work
– Can easily be removed by CHANGING jobs, it can provide immediate
relief

BUT for Compassion Fatigue and Vicarious Trauma, helpers can

simultaneously experience such trauma that cumulates over time.
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE?

Who you work for? Has the biggest

determinant to employee wellness.

hence, the

MANAGERS/SUPERVISORS
HOW CAN A MANAGER
HELP?
• Flexible and Supportive
• Conduct regular workload assessment in order to reduce trauma
exposure
• Encourage staff attend ongoing professional education
• Reduce hours for direct contact with trauma
• Provide good and quality supervision (sensitivity to the needs of their
subordinate)
PERSONAL STRATEGIES

• Helping professionals should maintain a STRONG SOCIAL SUPPORT

both at home and work
• Increase self-awareness (mindfulness & narrative work or journaling)
• Exchange information with people who can validate you (your
thoughts and emotions), hence, conduct stress-debriefing.
• Take a break (vacation, travel, massage, me time & family time)
• Be kind to yourself
WHAT IF ALL THESE
STRATEGIES ARE NOT ENOUGH?

If compassion fatigue become a serious

problem, it might develop depression, anxiety
and suicidal thoughts.

Seek Professional Help.

Thank you
